Seeking Help from Allies

Upon returning to his territory from Sunset City, Victor immediately summoned the Garrison Regiment, Foss, and his Regimental Commander, Holmes.

Foss and Sam were discussing the reorganization of the troops when they received news of Victor summoning them and rushed to Stone Castle immediately.

"You two must be wondering why I'm returning to the territory so early, right?"

Foss and Holmes nodded in unison.

"I have received some bad news. The Grand Duke is going to convene Noble Council to announce Count Colt's plot to rebel in front of all the nobles in the country."

Seeing that the two were already in a state of surprise, Victor didn't care. He didn't doubt their loyalty; they just hadn't realized it at first.

"I have received information that the Duchy will send troops to attack our two territories after the end of the Noble Council."

However, Count Colt should be able to hold off the Duchy's Direct Legion; only the nobles' private armies will attack us.

The two remained in a daze.

"Our enemy force is estimated to be around 10,000. I need you two to complete the recruitment plan as soon as possible, so that you can at least produce a force capable of carrying out defense."

After listening, Foss quickly interjected.

"But Your Excellency, according to the plan, we still need to recruit 1,000 soldiers. Adding the new recruits we recruited before, we will have a total of 2,200 new recruits."

Even including the troops we currently have, we only have about 4,000 men, most of whom are new recruits and hardly any useful!

Victor also understood that what Foss had said was true.

"I understand all this, but reality is reality. The territory will definitely be attacked. As long as we can hold it before winter, we can manage."

What I want to know now is, in order to complete the original conscription plan and participate in this defensive operation, what else do you need?

Foss and Holmes looked at each other, and in the end, Foss spoke first.

"Your Excellency, I would like to know approximately when the enemy will launch their attack?"

"Around October 10th, the Noble Council will convene on October 5th. The main forces participating in the siege of the territory are the private armies of the loyal nobles of Boler County and the army of the Great Oak Territory."

"Fortunately, it seems we still have two weeks to prepare, and the construction of the fortress can be at least 70-80% completed."

"Recruiting new soldiers is still ongoing. Fortunately, these new soldiers in the territory have all participated in militia training, so they are relatively capable of carrying out defensive operations. However, they need to be given enough weapons and equipment. There is currently a shortage of 1,000 sets."

Victor nodded, indicating that he had taken notes.

Foss and Holmes also began to make further demands.

"Our troop strength is still insufficient; we need at least another 1,000 men."

"I will inform the Two Rivers Territory to transfer Ron's troops south in time. There will be enough time. Weapons, equipment and siege equipment will also be brought along."

"But our territory's fleet doesn't have enough transport capacity!"

"The fleet from Iron Birch Territory will help; there's no need to worry about transport capacity."

"Yes, Your Excellency. Also, while the newly recruited soldiers are of decent quality, it would be best to ensure that the newly formed troops have enough veterans and junior officers if we are to carry out defensive operations."

How many veterans are missing?

"If we follow a 1:1 ratio of new to veteran soldiers, the existing troops should be sufficient. However, such troops can only fight defensive battles. In field battles, at least 70% of the troops should be veterans."

Victor thought for a moment.

"I will retain 80% of the veterans from the three detachments and supplement them with high-quality new recruits. I also need to ensure the strength of the field forces. We can't just stick to rigid defense."

Foss shrugged; he knew his viscount wouldn't refrain from taking the initiative.

"That leaves a huge gap, requiring at least 400 veterans and junior officers to fill the remaining positions."

Moreover, even if Regimental Commander Ron led his troops south, half of his forces would be newly recruited soldiers, making it impossible to draw upon veterans.

Victor understood Foss meant: either continue drawing veterans from Two Rivers Territory, or find another way.

Victor went directly to Number One and instructed it to use the Calculation Module to begin calculations.

"Victor, even with the Iron Birch Family's fleet, they can only transport the strength of three detachments at most at one time. After all, the amount of weapons and equipment that need to be transported is also considerable, and there is no way to increase the transport capacity."

Victor scratched his head; the vacancy of 400 veterans and junior officers was indeed giving him a headache.

Suddenly, Victor remembered something that Baron Wembley had mentioned.

If you encounter a very difficult situation, you can seek help from your family's allies.

Victor told Foss and Holmes to leave first and continue with the expansion and reorganization work, leaving the matters of veterans and junior officers to him.

He returned to his Ducal House in Stone Castle and found the list of allies left to him by the Old Baron Wembley.

Victor opened the list and began to examine it. These names were selected by his father, who had even communicated with them about supporting the Northern Alliance Army's plan to overthrow the Silver Maple Ducal House. They were all trustworthy.

Victor soon found what he was looking for, and he quickly began writing letters at his desk.

He was to write to the Viscount Blue Rose, the Baron Black Oil Pine, the Baron Oil Sunflower, and the Baron Silver Sunflower.

He sought their help; these four families were also his father's most trusted allies, Victor planned to borrow troops directly from them.

Actually, it would be possible to borrow troops from Viscount Edelweiss, Victor's maternal grandfather, and Viscount Benjamin Pear, his father-in-law, but they are too far away from Golden Sunflower Territory, and there wouldn't be enough time to write letters now.

All four are located in the Eastern Region: Blue Rose Territory is in Suffolk County, Black Oil Pine Territory and Silver Sunflower Country are in Boler County, and Oil Sunflower Territory is in Cambridge County.

The furthest one can be reached by fast horse, and it only takes two days to travel there and back.

Victor quickly wrote six letters, sending them by carrier pigeon to Iron Birch Territory and Two Rivers Territory respectively, and arranged for the remaining four territories to be delivered by fast horses.

According to his plan, it would not be difficult for these four companies to deploy 400 experienced veterans and officers, and there would be enough time in the meantime.

Moreover, even without these veterans, Victor was confident he could hold the territory; at most, he would suffer greater losses. Fortunately, the autumn harvest was almost complete.